represented to Scipio that Sophonisba would quickly induce Massinissa to revolt from Rome). Lælius departs with Massinissa's assurance that the command shall be obeyed. Massinissa is distracted; he must either break the oath that he had pledged to Sophonisba, or he must be faithless in the allegiance that he had sworn to Rome. Sophonisba's heroism rescues him from his dilemma. She declares her willingness to die; he infuses poison in a bowl of wine, and the dauntless woman drinks, speaking words of comfort to her husband as the poison courses through her veins. The lifeless body, laid on a bier, is presented to Scipio by Massinissa. _TO THE GENERAL READER._ Know that I have not laboured in this poem to tie myself to relate anything as an historian, but to enlarge everything as a poet. To transcribe authors, quote authorities, and translate Latin prose orations into English blank verse, hath, in this subject, been the least aim of my studies.[295] Then (equal reader) peruse me with no prepared dislike; and, if ought shall displease thee, thank thyself; if ought shall please thee, thank not me: for I confess in this it was not my only end. _ARGUMENTUM._ A grateful heart's just height; ingratitude, And vow's base breach with worthy shame pursued; A woman's constant love, as firm as fate; A blameless counsellor well born for state; The folly to enforce free love: these, know, This subject with full light doth amply show. [295] Marston is evidently glancing at Ben Jonson's _Sejanus_, which had been published in the previous year (1605).] _DRAMATIS PERSONÆ._ MASSINISSA, } SYPHAX, } _Kings of Libya, rivals for_ SOPHONISBA. ASDRUBAL, _father to_ SOPHONISBA. GELOSSO, _a senator of Carthage_. BYTHEAS, _a senator of Carthage_. HANNO MAGNUS, _Captain of Carthage_. JUGURTH, MASSINISSA'S _nephew_. SCIPIO, } LÆLIUS, } _Generals of Rome_. VANGUE, _an Æthiopian slave_. CARTHALON, _a senator of Carthage_. GISCO, _a surgeon of Carthage_. NUNTIUS. SOPHONISBA, _daughter to_ ASDRUBAL _of Carthage_. ZANTHIA, _her maid_. ERICTHO, _an enchantress_. ARCATHIA, } NYCEA, } _waiting-women to_ SOPHONISBA. SCENE--CIRTA, CARTHAGE, &c. PROLOGUS. _Cornets sounding a march._ _Enter at one door the_ PROLOGUE, _two Pages with torches_, ASDRUBAL _and_ JUGURTH, _two Pages with lights_, MASSINISSA _leading_ SOPHONISBA, ZANTHIA _bearing_ SOPHONISBA'S _train_, ARCATHIA _and_ NYCEA, HANNO _and_ BYTHEAS: _at the other door two Pages with targets and javelins, two Pages with lights_, SYPHAX _arm'd from top to toe, followed by_ VANGUE. _These, thus enter'd, stand still, whilst the_ PROLOGUE, _resting between both troops, speaks_.